Review by Larry S. Sterett | Contributing Editor
THE NRA STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO GUN SAFETY, by Rick Sapp. ©2016. Published for the NRA by Skyhorse Publishing, Dept. TGM, 307 West 36th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Price: $17.99. Available at most bookstores sad online.
This 160-page hardbound volume features 14 chapters and a one-page index which covers everything from the AK-47 to “Wesson,” including the Bill of Rights, Eddie Eagle, reloading, and tree stands. (The chapters are not listed as such, except on the Contents page, but the listed material is where it is captioned as to make, model, caliber, or what actually you are seeing or supposed to see. For example, under “The Anatomy of Your Firearms” it illustrates a Historical Revolver (brass frame), a Single-Action Revolver (Colt M1873 SAA) a Revolver (double-action Taurus?), a Double-Action Semi Auto (Beretta), Semi-Automatic Rifle (an AR-15 version of some type), and under Types of Shotguns for semi-automatic shotgun a Weatherby model is illustrated. The captions are adequate, but a bit more information would be appreciated.
A Few Muzzleloader Notes is enough to whet the appetite for blackpowder shooting, as is the section devoted to handloading or reloading. This is, provided the reader considers the material introductory, and not the Bible on the subject.
Another important subject for some shooters is the safe transportation of firearms. A cousin of this writer had his shotguns stolen while attending the Grand American some decades back when it was in Vandalia, OH, prior to the relocation to Sparta, IL. Instead of taking them into the motel with him one night he left them in his locked truck. Goodbye Brownings! This writer had his camper broken into by the police during the Grand while doing research at a courthouse in a nearby town. The camper had been parked for over an hour and a nearby store owner reported to the police he thought there might be a dead body (?) inside. The police arrived, found the door locked and cut the screen on a side window to get inside. No dead body, but two cased shotguns under the bunk bed mattress. The police decided I had been at the Grand, left me a note with an apology and an offer to pay for the screen. Weird storeowner!
Five states—California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York—are not firearms friendly. Nor are a number of the more metropolitan cities, such as Chicago, New York City, Rochester, Albany and Buffalo. Know the laws. The same comment applies to transporting ammunition and/or firearms by personal vehicle or airline. It is usually reasonably simple. This writer once brought 100 rounds of shotgun shells back from England; it had to be packed in a metal container at that time. In addition he brought back several hundred fired 12 gauge empties from the Grand Prix, packed in a large cardboard box and a cheap suitcase.
This is a good book to acquaint new shooters, young or mature, female or male, with firearm basics. The illustrations are superb and the sub-title is How to Safely Care For, Use, and Store Your Firearms
